Abstract

Whether and to which extent the effects of chemicals in the environment interact with other factors remains a scientific challenge. Here we assess the combined effects of temperature (16 vs. 20 degrees C), light conditions (darkness vs. 400 lx), dissolved organic matter (DOM; 0 vs. 6 mg/L) and the model insecticide thiacloprid (0 vs. 3 mu g/L) in a full-factorial experiment on molting and leaf consumption ofGammarus fossarum. Thiacloprid was the only factor significantly affecting gammarids' molting. While DOM had low effects on leaf consumption, temperature, light and thiacloprid significantly affected this response variable. The various interactions among these factors were not significant suggesting additivity. Only the interaction of the factors temperature and thiacloprid suggested a tendency for antagonism. As most stressors interacted additively, their joint effects may be predictable with available models. However, synergistic interactions are difficult to capture while being central for securing ecosystem integrity.

Keywords

Amphipod; Feeding rate; Multiple stress; Leaf litter decomposition

Published in

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
2020, volume: 105, number: 3, pages: 345-350
Publisher: SPRINGER

Authors' information